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Travel and outings with kids

Sun safety

The habits that protect skin and eyes from the sun's UV rays: shade, covering clothes, a hat, sunglasses and broad spectrum sunscreen reapplied often.

What It Means

Sun safety is the set of habits that keeps skin and eyes from too much ultraviolet (UV) light: staying in shade, wearing clothes, a hat and sunglasses, and using sunscreen on the skin that's left bare. For children older than 6 months, FDA advises a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, put on again at least every two hours. Babies younger than 6 months are kept out of direct sunlight instead, per FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Try It: Run a Two-Hour Sunscreen Reapply Clock

Start the clock when sunscreen goes on. FDA says to reapply at least every two hours.

Until the next coat2:00:00

Babies under 6 months: shade and clothing first, and ask the pediatrician before sunscreen.

How People Say It

  • "Hats on, nobody's leaving without one."
  • "Did anybody put sunscreen on the baby's hands?"
  • "It's been two hours, round two of sunscreen."

The Breakdown

How to do it

  1. Plan shade first: a tree, an umbrella or a stroller canopy.
  2. Dress kids in lightweight long sleeves, long pants and a wide-brimmed hat, plus sunglasses.
  3. For children over 6 months, put broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher on all bare skin, following the Drug Facts label.
  4. Reapply at least every two hours, and more often when the kids are sweating or going in and out of the water.
  5. For a baby under 6 months, keep them out of direct sunlight, and ask the pediatrician before using sunscreen.

By age

AgeWhat FDA and the AAP advise
Under 6 monthsOut of direct sunlight, in shade and light covering clothes; check with the pediatrician before sunscreen. HealthyChildren.org says that if clothing and shade aren't available, sunscreen can go on small areas such as the face and backs of the hands.
6 months and olderBroad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher, reapplied at least every two hours, plus clothing, a hat and sunglasses

Try it today. Pack one bag that stays by the door with sunscreen, hats and sunglasses, and set a two-hour timer the moment the first coat goes on.

Good to Know

HealthyChildren.org, the AAP's site for parents, advises keeping a baby out of the sun between 1010,000 stepsA popular daily step goal that began as the name of a 1960s Japanese pedometer; later studies find health benefits begin well below it. See more a.m. and 4 p.m., when its rays are strongest. FDA says to use sunscreen as the Drug Facts label directs, and that reapplying every two hours is the minimum, with more frequent coats when kids are sweating or swimming. If a sunburn worries you, call the pediatrician, and call 911 in an emergency.

FAQ

What SPF should kids wear?

FDA advises a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher for children older than 6 months, used as the label directs and reapplied at least every two hours.

Can you put sunscreen on a baby under 6 months?

FDA and the AAP advise keeping babies under 6 months out of direct sunlight and checkingChecking accountA bank or credit union account for everyday money going in and out, used by debit card, checks, transfers and direct deposit. See more with a pediatrician before sunscreen. HealthyChildren.org says small amounts can go on areas like the face and backs of the hands when clothing and shade aren't available.

How often should sunscreen be reapplied?

At least every two hours, FDA says, and more often when you're sweating or getting in and out of the water.

Do It in Buhata

Shopping, Reminders

Add sunscreen, hats and sunglasses to Shopping before an outing, and set a Reminder to reapply two hours after the first coat goes on.

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Related Terms and Categories

  • Reef-safe sunscreen

    A marketing label for sunscreen meant to signal it won't harm coral; no regulator defines the term, so the active ingredients list is what to check.

  • Beach day checklist

    A list of what to pack and do for a safe day at the beach with kids: sun protection, water, life jackets, a lifeguarded spot and an adult watching at all times.

  • Camping with kids

    Planning a family camping trip around kids' safety and comfort: water, fire, food storage, ticks and constant watching near lakes and rivers.

  • Packing list

    A written list of everything to bring on a trip, ticked off as each item goes in a bag so nothing important gets left behind.

  • Flying with a baby

    Air travel with a child under 2, which starts with one choice: a lap infant on an adult's lap, or a ticketed seat with an FAA-approved car seat.

Travel and outings with kids

Sources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses"; FDA, "Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually"; FDA, "Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun"; HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), "Baby Sunburn Prevention Tips"

Last updated .